Louis Lakota, Age 83, Joliet American Legion Band Past President

(The following obituary was provided to Joliet Patch on behalf of Tezak Funeral Home.)

JOLIET, IL — Louis J. Lakota, Jr., age 83, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 28, 2025.

Lou is survived by his children, Louis J. (Kristine) Lakota III, Maureen (the late Bill) Krok, Michael (Jill) Lakota, Anton (Jody) Lakota, Timothy (Denise Duncan) Lakota; grandchildren, Ryan, Brady (Kassandra) Lakota, Allyson, Joshua, Matthew (Anna), and Alex Lakota, Megan Krok, Morgan and Brennan Lakota; great-grandchildren, Brynleigh Finnen, Beckham and Maverick Lakota; siblings, Jerome (Margaret) Lakota, Barbara (the late Michael) Ludwick, and Karen (Paul) McDermott; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Preceded by his devoted wife, Mary Fran Lakota; parents, Helen and Louis J. Lakota, Sr., mother-in-law and father-in-law, Catherine and John H. Brennan, Jr., and brother-in-law, John H. Brennan III.

Louis was born and raised in Joliet, IL. He was a graduate of St. Mary Nativity (class of 1955), Joliet Township High School (class of 1959), and Lewis University. He worked for GAF corp., then became a real-estate appraiser for many years along with actively holding his real-estate license. Lou played clarinet in the Joliet Township High School band and was student conductor in his senior year. He was a proud member of the Joliet American Legion Band for 66 years, past president, “Back Bone” award winner, and unofficial historian. Lou was also very involved in his children’s youth activities serving as president of the Joliet Central Band Parents’ Association as well as coaching his boys at St. Joe’s Ball Park. Lou loved family and tradition, always counting down the days to the next big Lakota Family Reunion. He will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved him.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Louis’ name to Joliet American Legion Band would be appreciated.

A celebration of Louis’ life will be held on Thursday, June 5, 2025 with a visitation at Tezak Funeral Home, 1211 Plainfield Road, Joliet from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Relatives and friends are invited back to the funeral home Friday, June 6, 2025 from 8:30 a.m. until closing prayers at 9:20 a.m. The funeral will then travel in procession to St. Mary Nativity Catholic Church in Joliet for a Mass of Christian Burial to be held at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at St. Mary Nativity Cemetery in Crest Hill.